Bradford Bulls ask fans for bailout

Bradford Bulls in trouble

The Bulls, who were one of the dominant teams in the early days of Super League, say their problems have reached crisis point and that the Good Friday visit of Leeds Rhinos could be their last-ever game at Odsal.

Chairman Peter Hood said the recent sale of the lease on Odsal to the Rugby Football League had allowed the club to repay money owed to the game's governing body but they were dealt a blow last week when the Royal Bank of Scotland cut their overdraft facility.

That left the club with "no cash", according to Hood, who told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus: "I don't think the situation could be more critical.

"We've got to generate a significant sum to survive and we're doing everything we can to achieve that.

"If we haven't got cash, then we can't stay alive and if we can't stay alive then we can't fulfil our fixtures. It's that serious."

The club say they need to raise £500,000 by Friday, April 6, to stave off the threat of collapse and have written to every season-ticket holder, member and sponsor in a desperate plea for funds.

The RFL say they are aware of the crisis and are backing the club's survival bid.

RFL director of standards and licensing Blake Solly said: "The RFL would urge everyone who cares about Bradford Bulls to support the pledge scheme.

"We have been providing and continue to provide Bradford Bulls with all the practical support we can to help the club through their current financial difficulties."